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By Dan Gunderson, Minnesota Public Radio News

Ten Minnesota community organizations will share $1.1 million in grants to expand pollinator habitat.

The grants are part of the 5-year-old Lawns to Legumes program operated by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources.

The Pollinator Pathways grants go to local organizations who help local residents establish pollinator habitat.

“That’s a key part of what these local organizations are doing, they’re helping guide residents and building momentum for pollinator habitat,” said BWRS senior ecologist Dan Shaw.

“About 30 percent of the people participating are new gardeners, so it’s been really important to provide as much technical assistance as possible, and that’s where the local organizations have been really helpful assisting these residents,” Shaw added.

The goal of the Pollinator Pathways program is to establish collaborative efforts and create local habitat corridors, especially for at-risk species like the endangered rusty patched bumble bee.

In addition to the community organization grants, BWSR gives out individual grants twice a year.

More than 9,000 people applied for the most recent round of individual grants according to Shaw.

“The interest has remained really high,” he said. “I think the residents of the state are recognizing that pollinators have many challenges and that we really need as many residents as possible involved in conservation.”

The Lawns to Legumes program started five years ago with a goal of creating a movement to improve pollinator habitat.

“And we feel that is happening,” said Shaw. “There just seems to be a lot of momentum. Residents are really motivated to make a difference.”

The program has received a total of $6 million since it began.

This year the state legislature approved a dedicated pollinator account expected to generate nearly $700,000 each year through state lottery proceeds.